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PITTSBURGH -- At 36 and the owner of two World Series rings, A.J. Burnett says he no longer cares about personal statistics. "Its all about the team," the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander said. "Weve got something special really special going on here." Burnett, however, admitted it was nice to get a win Sunday. He hasnt had too many of them this season. Burnett scattered eight hits and Russell Martin provided some rare run support for the 15-year veteran with a three-run homer that led the Pirates over the Colorado Rockies 5-1. Burnett (5-7) struck out nine and walked one in his first complete game of the season and 23rd of his career. He threw 110 pitches, including 83 strikes. "I just felt good for all nine innings," Burnett said. "I knew my pitch count was low so I was confident I could get through the ninth. I take pride in finishing what I started. Those guys down there (in the bullpen) need a break." The Pirates, who have the best record in the major league at 67-44 following 20 consecutive losing seasons, maintained their 1 1/2-game lead in the NL Central over St. Louis. Burnett has been on World Series winners with the Marlins and Yankees, and hed ove to play on a third, especially in a city that has embraced him. "You couldnt help but hear the fans cheering when I walked out there for the ninth inning," Burnett said. "Theyve been awesome to me for the two years Ive been here and they just give you that extra boost of energy." Martins home run came in the fifth inning and put the Pirates ahead 5-0. Burnett hasnt gotten much backing this season, and owns a losing record despite a 2.73 ERA. Martin had missed two of the previous three games with soreness in his left knee. He drove a pitch from Manuel Corpas down the left-field line for his 10th home run of the season. After the game, Martin wanted to talk about Burnett instead of himself. "He was outstanding," Martin said. "Hes been pitching so well and hasnt had anything to show for it personally a lot of times. Im really happy he got the win and the complete game." The Pirates took a 2-0 lead on an RBI single by Andrew McCutchen in the first inning and Garrett Jones sacrifice fly in the third. In the fifth, McCutchen walked with one out and Pedro Alvarez singled to chase starter Juan Nicasio. Corpas relieved and gave up Martins homer. "I thought Corpas gave us our best chance to get a double play there," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He puts the ball on the ground consistently with his sinker but hung a breaking ball over the middle of the plate." Nicasio (6-6) struggled for a second consecutive start, giving four runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. He allowed a career-high eight runs in his previous start Tuesday at Atlanta. Nicasio had gone 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his first three starts after being recalled July 12 from Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he had spent two weeks. "I threw too many fastballs that were balls or they fouled off," Nicasio said. "I had a hard time putting the hitters away." Jonathan Herrera had three hits for the Rockies, including a run-scoring single in the seventh inning that broke up Burnetts shutout bid. Michael Cuddyer added two this. "Thats a good offensive club," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "They can do some things and A.J. was able to work through the middle of the order pretty efficiently. Again, very aggressive, very focused. Balls down. He took it to em." NOTES: Colorado LF Carlos Gonzalez returned to the lineup after not starting for four straight games because of a sprained right wrist and went 1 for 4. ... Rockies rookie 3B Nolan Arenado got his first day off since the All-Star break. ... Pittsburgh RHP Jason Grilli, who has 30 saves, hopes to begin playing catch this week. He has been on the disabled list since July 23 with a strained right forearm. ... Both teams are off Monday before opening three-game series Tuesday night. The Pirates will host the Miami Marlins with LHP Jeff Locke (9-3, 2.36) starting against RHP Henderson Alvarez (2-1, 2.61). Colorado will play the Mets at New York with RHP Tyler Chatwood (7-4, 3.15) pitching against RHP Jenrry Mejia (1-1, 2.08). Avalanche Jerseys 2020 . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Colorado Avalanche Store . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. Cheap Avalanche Jerseys .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Stitched Avalanche Jerseys . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. ST. LOUIS -- The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Missouri assembles an AR-15 assault rifle -- blindfolded -- then dares the incumbent Republican to do the same in a TV ad released Thursday.I approved this message, Jason Kander says, pausing briefly to rack the slide, figuratively placing a round in the chamber, `cause Id like to see Sen. Blunt do this.The brazen ad is the latest salvo in a competitive race that could be a factor in determining which party controls the Senate after the November election.Roy Blunt, 66, a seven-term congressman before being elected to the Senate in 2010, is a strong gun rights supporter who has the backing of the National Rifle Association -- so much so that NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre traveled to Missouri last month on Blunts behalf.Blunt received three student deferments during the Vietnam War and did not serve in the military. Kander, Missouris 35-year-old secretary of state, was an Army intelligence officer in Afghanistan.The 30-second spot shows Kander standing at a table in what looks to be an empty warehouse, talking while he blindly slams together the pieces of the weapon.He mentions attacks by Blunt on the issue of guns and says that while in the Army he learned to respect his rifle. He says that in Afghanistan, he volunteered to ride with a gun in a convoy of unarmed SUVs.He notes his support of Second Amendment rights during hiis time in the state legislature, along with his belief in background checks so terrorists cant get their hands on one of these.ddddddddddddKanders campaign said the ads are running statewide.Blunt spokesman Tate OConnor said Kander is apparently reacting to an NRA ad highlighting the fact that he was one of the most anti-Second Amendment legislators and was awarded an F for his opposition to Missourians Second Amendment rights.The Kander ad hits two themes that benefit Kander in a Middle America state like Missouri, said Ken Warren, a political scientist at Saint Louis University. It shows he knows his way around guns, and it plays up his military background.Militarism sells in Missouri, Warren said. The appeal is to people who like the patriotism.Gun rights are a big deal in Missouri, too. State lawmakers on Wednesday were successful in overriding Democratic Gov. Jay Nixons veto of a bill eliminating permit requirements to conceal and carry a firearm.Earlier this year, Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Greitens, a former Navy SEAL officer, drew national attention for a TV ad in which he fired an assault rifle into an open field, causing an explosion. Greitens won the Republican primary and will face Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster in November. ' ' '